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2017 Year In Review – May

Dec 27, 2017 | 9:00 AM

As we prepare to say goodbye to 2017, battlefordsNOW is taking a look at some of the top news items that made headlines and newsmakers over the past 12 months.

There were thousands of hockey fans tuned into CJNB/CJNS and online to follow the Battlefords North Stars who travelled to Penticton B.C. to compete for the Western Canada Cup in May. After winning the SJHL’s Canalta Cup, the Stars faced the best junior ‘A’ hockey teams from the western provinces and went 1-2-1 in the round robin portion of the tournament. Battlefords’ season came to a halt after the North Stars dropped their playoff matchup against host Penticton Vees.

The second annual On Air for Health Care Radiothon held on May 12 on 1050 CJNB,Q98 and 93.3 The Rock raised over $190,000. The 12-hour Radiothon raised funds for Dr. Abraham Awoben’s new E.N.T. (Ears, Nose and Throat) department at the BUH to purchase state of the art equipment. Dr. Awoben joined the Battleford Union Hospital in October of 2016 filling the E-N-T roll that had been vacant at the hospital for over two-years.

Wet fields and dealing with the 2016 crop left after an early fall snow hampered local farmers during spring seeding this year. Saskatchewan Agriculture said estimates showed 11 per cent of the 2017 crop was seeded which was a stark contrast to 2016 when 35 per cent of the province’s fields were seeded. Jason Loewen who farms 60 kilometres northwest of North Battleford said his farm was roughly five per cent seeded — a lower number than average.

Two local investors stepped up to save the historic post office building in Battleford. Co-owners Cassandra Germsheid and husband Jesse Crozier of Fieldstone Holdings Inc. entered into an agreement with Canada Post to have the office re-open after renovations. Mayor Ames Leslie said he was pleased with the century-old building’s restoration. The former post office building on 22nd St. closed in 2015 because of health concerns following a bat infestation.

Despite being forced to take a one-year break in 2016, the Battlefords Relay for Life re-emerged with a new committee, new goals and new hopes for the event. Registration chair Amanda Muanula said the organizing committee hoped for 10 teams to take part with a funding goal of $15,000. The Relay for Life was held at the city track at Centennial Park in North Battlefords on June 9 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. The event exceeded expectations with more than $36,000 raised, 15 teams, 89 participants and 116 cancer survivors taking part.
 

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter